US stocks on Zerodha (status)
Zerodha does not directly offer US stock trading as of 2026. Indian retail investors who want US equity exposure via Zerodha must use Indian-listed alternatives (international ETFs) or use separate overseas brokers. This article covers the current status and the available alternatives.
Current status
Zerodha’s product line:
- Indian equity (NSE, BSE).
- Indian F&O.
- Indian currency derivatives.
- Indian commodities (MCX).
- Indian mutual funds (via Coin ).
- Indian-listed international ETFs (e.g., Nasdaq 100, MAFANG).
Not directly offered:
- Individual US stocks (Apple, Tesla, etc.).
- US mutual funds.
- Other foreign-listed direct equities.
Why no direct US stocks
See Why Zerodha does not offer US stocks for the detailed reasons. Summary:
- US brokerage requires US-side regulatory compliance.
- LRS (Liberalised Remittance Scheme) framework adds operational complexity.
- Zerodha has prioritised the Indian product line.
- Competition exists (Vested, Stockal, INDmoney) for US-specific needs.
Alternative routes for US exposure
Option 1: Indian-listed international ETFs
- Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 ETF: see How to buy Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 ETF on Zerodha .
- MAFANG: see How to buy MAFANG ETF on Zerodha .
- Other international ETFs: Various funds tracking S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, FANG+.
Provides broad / concentrated US tech exposure without overseas brokerage.
Option 2: International ETFs via Coin
Indian mutual funds with international (US, global) exposure can be subscribed via Coin . Schemes include:
- Edelweiss US Tech Equity Fund.
- Franklin India Feeder US Opportunities Fund.
- Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Fund.
- Others.
Each operates as a feeder; tax treatment is debt-fund per Section 50AA.
Option 3: Separate overseas broker
For direct US stock trading, Indian investors use:
- Vested Finance (Indian fintech with US brokerage partnership).
- Stockal (similar).
- INDmoney (US stock integration).
- Interactive Brokers (direct international account).
LRS limit of USD 2.5 lakh per FY per person applies. Tax filing requires Form 67 for foreign income.
Option 4: GIFT City international segment
GIFT City Nifty futures and other GIFT-IFSC products provide some international-style exposure within Indian regulatory framework. Limited to specific products.
What Zerodha might offer in future
Zerodha’s stance has been “we’ll consider it if there’s a compelling reason”. Possible future products:
- GIFT City-based international equity access.
- Tighter integration with Indian-listed international ETFs.
- Partnerships with US brokers (unlikely directly).
No commitments or timelines exist.
For an Indian investor wanting US exposure
Decision framework:
| Need | Recommended route |
|---|---|
| Broad US tech exposure | Nasdaq 100 ETF via Zerodha |
| Concentrated FANG-style | MAFANG via Zerodha |
| Single-stock picking | Vested / INDmoney / Stockal |
| Mutual fund route | Coin > international feeder MF |
| GIFT-IFSC | Specialised products via Zerodha or other |
| LRS direct | Interactive Brokers, Vested |
For most retail investors with broad US exposure goals, Indian-listed ETFs are simplest. For specific stock-picking, separate overseas brokerage is required.
Tax considerations
Each route has different tax treatment:
| Route | Tax framework |
|---|---|
| Indian-listed international ETF | Debt fund (Section 50AA) |
| Indian feeder MF for US | Debt fund (Section 50AA) |
| Direct US stocks (LRS) | Foreign income; Form 67; DTAA may apply |
| GIFT City products | Specific GIFT-IFSC tax treatment |
For complex tax situations involving US-exposure investments, consult a Chartered Accountant before filing.
See also
- Why Zerodha does not offer US stocks
- GIFT City Nifty futures via Zerodha
- INX vs NSE on Zerodha
- How to buy Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy MAFANG ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy a Nifty 50 ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy NiftyBeES on Zerodha
- How to buy Bharat Bond ETF on Zerodha
- LRS (Liberalised Remittance Scheme)
- Mutual funds in India
- Mutual fund
- Zerodha Universe (ecosystem map)
- Is Zerodha safe
- Is Zerodha listed on stock exchange
- Zerodha IPO when
- Zerodha Coin
- How to search stocks, ETFs, MFs, IPOs, G-secs on Kite
- How to add scrips to the Kite marketwatch
- ETF (India)
- Debt mutual fund taxation
- Capital gains tax (India)
- Vested Finance
- INDmoney
- Interactive Brokers
- Zerodha customer care number
- SEBI
- RBI
- Zerodha
- Kite (Zerodha)
External references
References
- SEBI, Overseas investment framework for retail, sebi.gov.in.
- RBI, Liberalised Remittance Scheme, rbi.org.in.
- Income Tax Act, 1961, Form 67 for foreign tax credit.
- Zerodha, Product line, zerodha.com.